England injury woe deepens as Foden is ruled out for 12 weeks
ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster is facing further disruption to his Six Nations plans after Northampton back Ben Foden became the latest Test star to join the long-term injury list.
The full-back, who filled in on the wing during the autumn internationals, has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury suffered last week against Newcastle.
Saints boss Jim Mallinder said: “I think it will be around the 12-week mark that Ben will be out for. It’s very unfortunate for him.”
London Irish wing Marland Yarde, who has a torn hip tendon, Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi, who has a chest injury, and Tigers lock Geoff Parking, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, are all major doubts for the Six Nations. Northampton prop Alex Corbisiero is also set to miss the championship, which begins on 1 February, following a knee operation, as is Leicester flanker Tom Croft, who is out for the season, also with a knee injury.